The first time I took my daughter to the beach, she was 9 months old. She will be 3 years old this June and I can confidently say that in all this time, I have perfected what to do with a baby and/ or toddler at the beach.
I’ll be honest – as a first-time mom, taking my baby girl to the beach seemed so daunting that I almost didn’t go. She was already crawling around everywhere and getting into everything. What if she ate sand? What if sand got in her eye? Was the sunblock I bought baby-friendly – what if there was a recall I was unaware of?
You could see where this anxiety-fueled spiral was taking me and I got to the point that I just figured we didn’t need to go and could stay in the safe confines of our home, neighborhood playground, and local library.
After talking it out with my husband, I realized that I could control only so much and that I’d face things that come up as we go along. The first thing I could control was what I could take with me to make Zia’s first trip to the beach as enjoyable as possible for both of us, and this list is as long as it is useful.
Clothes
I know what you’re thinking: obviously, I’ll be taking clothes for my baby! More specifically, light and airy cotton clothes because babies start regulating their body temperature only between 9 and 12 months old, and heat stroke is a real danger.
I also suggest long-sleeved swimsuits, or rash guards, to provide maximum protection against the sun. Don’t forget the swim diapers, changing mats, and beach towels!
Water and Snacks
Obviously, the water and snacks are for when your baby is over a year old. Keep them well-hydrated, no matter the age. If your baby is bottle-fed, take along a mini-cooler to store the milk.
I am all for breastfeeding mamas to feed their babies however and wherever they feel comfortable – that being said, I felt comfortable breastfeeding at the beach with my breathable, 100% cotton nursing cover.
Protection from the Sun
In addition to the rash guard, ensure your baby has a great time at the beach with baby-safe sunscreen, a hat, and/or a beach umbrella.
Once you’re at the beach, it’s time to keep them entertained. Funny enough, this was much easier than I thought it would be because Z loved the water and sand and had a great time digging holes, squishing the wet sand, and playing with all of her beach toys. Here are a few things that helped:
Beach Toys
I picked up this big bucket from Costco that had anything and everything you would need. The big bucket helped carry and store water to where we were seated. The shovels and spades were great for her little hands to dig around with. And the different beach-themed molds double as fun sand toys and teething toys – according to Z, anyway.
Also, do not sleep on the Dollar Tree and Five Below. They have great beach toys at low prices so you can stock up on anything your kid might be entertained with.
Inflatable Pool
Those mini-inflatable pools were lifesavers for our first few trips to the beach. It let me minimize the amount of sand Z had access to because she definitely kept trying to put it in her mouth. It’s also great to fill up with just the right amount of water for your little one to safely splash around in.
Waterproof Books
Zia has always loved being read to and the beach was as good a place as any. I took some of her bath books with us and we had a great time reading and rereading them during our trip.
Toddler Harness
The toddler harness is so controversial in the parent world; some swear by it for everyday activities such as walks or grocery shopping, while others harshly compare them to pet leashes.
I took a toddler harness with me to the beach when Z started walking because it gave her the ability to independently explore while still being safe. Now that she’s older, I don’t need it anymore, but there was a period when it was great to let her wander and play in the waves on her own.
Stroller
Even though Zia is more than capable of walking on her own when we’re at the beach now, I still take the stroller with me. If your kiddo is little, it’s great for taking them on a little walk to take in the sites or explore the boardwalk. If they’re older, it’s a great help to carry stuff and comes in handy if they get tired from walking or even want to take a little nap.
A couple of other things I always take on my beach trips with me are:
First Aid Kit
I’ve never had to use it but it always makes me feel better to have the necessities in case anything pops up.
Large Mesh or Crochet Beach Bag
There will be sand everywhere and on everything. Mesh bags are super easy because you can throw them all in there and just shake the sand out.
Extra Plastic and Reusable Bags
I have never been able to pack up everything after a day at the beach, so I just take extra reusable bags to pop open and throw stuff into. It’s also great to store your wet clothes. Plastic bags come in handy to store used diapers.
Baby Powder and a Mini Dustpan
You don’t need the pan but put some baby powder on your skin and brush it off with the brush from the dustpan and you will be amazed at how quickly the sand just falls off.
Waterproof Phone Cover
And finally, take along a waterproof phone cover because they are super useful to keep the water and sand off your phone while capturing your kid’s trip to the beach.
Always remember that you can’t control everything. The first time I went to the beach with my baby, I had maybe five of these things. But the more I went and the more things I faced, my beach list added on, and yours will too so that your baby’s trip to the beach is memorable and fun.
